Machine for grinding and polishing plate-glass.



No. 657,724. Patented Sept. II, I900. D. BEATTY.

MACHINE FOB GRINDING AND POLISHING PLATE GLASS.

(Application filed Nov. 7, 1899.:

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(No Model.)

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No. 657,724. 'Patented Sept. II, I900.

V D. BEATTY.

MACHINE FOR GRINDING AND POLISHING PLATE GLASS.

' (Application filed Nov. 7, 1809.)

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No. 657,724. Patented Sept. ll, I900.

n. BEATTY. MACHINE FOR GRINDING AND POLISHING PLATE GLASS.

(Application filed Nov. 7, 1899.:

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(No Model.)

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UNTTED STATES PATENT @EFTCE.

DANIEL BEATTY, on NEW KENsINeToN, PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE FOR GRINDING AND POLISHING PLATE-GLASS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,724, datedSeptember 11, 1900. Application filed Novembei'7, i899. ierial No.736,121. (No model.)

To all whom, it Hwy concern:

Be it known that LDANIEL BEATTY,a citizen of the United States, residingat New Kensingion, in the county of VVestmoreland and State 'ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Machine for Grinding andPolishing Plate-Glass, of which the following is a speci-.

area thereof during its treatment in the machine.

A further object is to provide a grinding{ disk with an improvedabrading-surface capable of renewal when worn down with ease andfacility, and said abrading-surface is con-f structed to permit oftheexpeditious passage or circulation of the abrading materialusu-j allysand-throughout the full area of the grindingdisk. 1

A further object is to provide an improved work -carrier arranged tocarry the glass plate to and fro between the grinding-disks, saidcarriage having work clamps which "are adjustable to different sizes ofthe plate-glass and are easily removable when Worn.

A further object is to provide means for propelling the carriageuniformly and steadily between the rindin -surfaces and for auto-.

matically reversing the carriage as it approaches the limit of itstravel in either direction.

With these ends in view the invention con sists in the novel combinationof mechanisms and in the construction and arrangement of parts, as willbe hereinafter fully described and claimed.

To enable others to understand the invention, 1 have illustrated apreferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, and in which Figure l is a plan view of myinvention adapted for service as a machine for grinding plate-glass.Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken in the plane of thedotted line 3 2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. is avertical transverse Fig. a sectional elevation taken in the plane of thedotted line 3 3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direc tion of the arrow. Fig. 4is a detail perspective view of the work-carriage removed from themachine. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view ofa part of oneabrading-wheel. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a revoluble diskconstructed with a surface for polishing the plane-surface of a glassplate.

The same numerals of reference are used to indicate like andcorresponding parts in each of the several figures of the drawings.

10 designates the base or platform,of proper dimensions and shape tosupport the several working parts of the machine. This platform isprovided with a carriage-way or recess 11, and on the upper side of thisplatform are secured the track-rails 12, which are disposed on oppositesides of the carriage-way ll and in parallel relation to each other forthe purpose of directing and guiding the work-carriage in a rectilinearpath between the oppositely-revoluble grinding or polishing disks. Thebase or platform is, furthermore, provided with the discharge-channels13 l3,which lie on opposite sides of the carriage and into which thewater and sand are discharged from the abrading mechanism, said channelsserving to convey the water and sand to suitable receptacles orotherwise discharge them from the apparatus.

14 15 designate short horizontal shafts arranged, substantially, inalinement with each other and supported in hearings on opposite sides-ofthe carriage. The shaft 15 is mounted in bearings 16, so as to rotatefreely therein and be capable of a limited endwise adjustment; but theother shaft 14 is mounted in the bearings 17 in a well-known manner forthe purpose of rotating freely in its hearings without permitting anyendwise movement of said shaft.

In my machine I employ a pair of revoluble elements, preferably in theform of disks mounted on the shafts 14 15 in opposing relation to eachother and revoluble in opposite directions. One of the disks isindicated at 18 on the inner end of the shaft 14 and ad apted for thepurpose of rotating therewith in a certain vertical plane at all times.The other revoluble element or disk 1%) is fast with the shaft 15-forthe purpose of rotating therewith and capable of a limited adjustmentlaterally with respect to the disk 18, whereby the space between theopposing disks may be widened to facilitate the introduction or removalof the plate of glass in the work-carriage, as well as to accommodatethe two disks to glass plates of difierent thicknesses. Each revolubleelement or disk is in the form of a metallic casting with a hub 20,supporting a binding-screw 21 and adapted to firmly hold the disk on theinner end of one shaft; but it is evident that a skilled mechanic mayvary the means for making the disk fast with its shaft. In theembodiment of my invention in a glassgrinding machine I construct eachrevoluble disk 18 or 19 with a wooden face-plate 22, which is secured byscrews to the metallic element or disk, and this abrading element isequipped with a renewable working surface that is adapted to permit thecirculation of the abrasive sand throughout the full area of the workingsurface on said element or disk. This working surface in the presentembodiment of the invention consists of a central annulus or ring 23 anda series of T- shaped ribs or plates 24 25. The central annulus issecured to the wooden face-plate 22 by means of screws, which have theirheads countersunk in radial channels 23, which are provided in theexposed edge of the annulus. The ribs or plates 24 25 are each cast in asingle piece of metal with a straight shank and a cross-head, and theseribs are arranged on the wooden face-plate 22 for their shanks to lieradially to the central ring 23, the heads of the ribs being concentricwith the peripheral edge of the face-plate 22 and the carrier-disk 18 or19. The ribs designated as 24 alternate with the ribs indicated by 25.Said ribs 24 are provided with a series of transverse notches 26 inthestraight shanks thereof. The other ribs 25 have a series of transversenotches '27, and at their inner ends said ribs have the recesses 2-8.The ribs are fastened to the face-plate 22 by means of screws which havetheir heads countersunk in the recesses, and the two series of radialribs are fastened to the carrierdisk, or rather to the woodenface-plate, in positions for the transverse notches of the ribs in oneseries to be out of aline'm'ent'with the transverse notches in the ribsof the other series. The employment of the notched ring and the ribs orplates with notches arranged in the manner described provides for thecirculation of the abrasive sand throughout the full area of the workingsurface on each revoluble element or carrier-disk, and these ribs andthe central ring insure the distribution of the abrasive sand so thatthe surface of the glass plate may be ground uniformly. The shafts l415, which carry the opposing elements or disks, are driven in oppositedirections through intermediate gearing from with longitudinal parallelgrooves 43.

shown.) This driving-shaft is, furthermore, equipped with thechain-wheels 32 33, which are disposed opposite to the shafts 14 15, andother chain-wheels 34 35 are secured to the shafts 14 15 in alinementwith the chainwheels 32 33. A straight chain 36 passes around thechain-wheels 32 34 on the shafts 29 14, respectively, for the purpose ofrotating the shaft 14 and the disk 18 thereon in one direction. Acrossed chain 37 passes around the chain-wheels 33 35 on the shafts 29and 15, respectively, to rotate the shaft 15 and the disk 19 in anopposite direction to the shaft 14 and the disk 18 thereon.

Any suitable means may be provided for giving the endwise adjustment tothe shaft 15 and to the disk 19 thereon; but in the drawings I haveillustrated an adj ustingscrew 38, which is supported in a bearing 39 inalinement with the shaft 15. At one end this adjustment-screw isprovided with a hand-wheel 40 for its convenient manipulation, but theother inner end of the screw has a swiveled coupling at 41 (see Fig. 3)with the outer end of the shaft 15, whereby rotation of the screwadjusts the shaft 15 endwise without, however, interfering with the freerotation of the shaft under the propulsive energy of the crossed chain37.

The work-carriage is adapted to travel on the track-rails 12 in arectilinear path between the opposing abrading-disks, and with this workcarriage are associated devices which operate to firmly hold a sheet orpane of glass thereon and to positively propel the carriage to and fro.This carriage has a base 42, which is provided in its lower under sideThis grooved base is adapted to fit upon and to loosely embrace theparallel tracks 12; but while these tracks serve to direct the base ofthe carriage in a generally-rectilinear path between the abrading-diskssaid base 42 of the carriage is capable of a limited lateral play on therails 12, because the grooves 43 are a little wider than the rails, thuspermitting the carriage to accommodate itself to variations in thethickness of the sheet or plate of glass while securing uniformity inthe engagement of the abrading-disks with opposite faces of the glassplate. On the base of this carriage is provided a vertical frame adaptedto confine securely in place the interchangeable strips which engagewith the plate of glass. This frame consists of the slotted posts 44, acap-rail 45, and the base-rail 46, all of which are firmly securedtogether and are arranged to provide within the frame a space whichexceeds the dimensions of the plate or sheet of glass adapted to betreated by the improved machine, and the base and top rails of thisframe are provided on their inner edges with grooves 47, which aredisposed in the plane of the slots in the posts 44. The insertiblestrips 48 extend lengthwise of the frame to engage with the cap andbottom rails thereof, while other insertible strips 49 are arranged toengage with the posts 44. The end strips meet or join with the endportions of the longitudinal strips, so as to assist in holding thelatter in place, and these end strips are held in place on the posts bythe fasteners 49", such fasteners being shown by the drawings asembodied in the form of pins adapted to fit in either of the series ofopenings providedin the end strips 49. The horizontal and verticalstrips 48 and 49 are equal in thickness to the plate or sheet of glasswhich is to be treated, and these strips are made of wood or other softmaterial and are adapted iolie flush with the plane surfaces of theglass plate, whereby the strips are adapted to be ground down with thesurfaces of the plate bythe abrasive action of the revoluble disks.These insertible strips may be easily renewed at a small cost when theyare worn down to such an extent as to not justify the continued usethereof. The adjustment afforded to the end strips and theinterchangeability of the several strips provide for variation in thesize'of the sheets or plates of glass adapted to be held in the carriageand subjected to the abrasive action of the revoluble disks. Ininserting the work in the carriage it is passed through the slottedposts 44, and the horizontal and vertical strips 48 49 are properlyadjusted in grooves of the cap and bottom rails, so as to support thework clear of and within the limits of the work-frame. The insertiblestrips serve to firmly confine the sheet or pane of glass, so that itwill travel with the carriage, and the diameter of each abrading-disk isequal to or greater than the width of the glass plate,(see Fig. 2,)whereby the plate is moved longitudinally by the carriage for the entiresurface of the plate on each side to be subjected to the action of oneabrading-disk.

5O designates a traveling feed-nut which is made fast with the underside of the carriage 42, and this nut depends from the carriage, so asto enter and travel in the way or recess 11 in the base or foundation10. A feed-screw 51 is arranged longitudinally in said way or recess,and it passes through and has threaded engagement with the feed-nut ofthe carriage. Said screw is journaled in and held from endwise movementbysuitablebearings 52, which are fixed to the base 10. One end of saidfeed-screw extends beyond the base for the reception of a worm-gear 53,the latter meshing with a worm 54 on a worm-shaft 55. This worm-shaft isarranged at right angles to the feed-screw, so as to be journaled insuitable bearings 56, and on this wormshaft is mounted a pair of fastpulleys 57 58, together with an idle pulley 59, which is fitted looselyon the shaft between the two fast pulleys. A pair of fast pulleys 60 61are secured to the drivingshaft 29 in alinement with the pulleys on theworm-shaft, and around the fast pulleys 57 60 on the driving and wormshaft is arranged a straight belt 62. The

crossed belt 63 passes around the pulleys 58 site directions.

61, and with these two belts is engaged the fork 64 of a belt-shipper65, whereby the belts may be simultaneously shifted from their fastpulley to the loose pulley for the purpose of driving the Worm-shaftalternately in oppo- Itis to be understood that the straight belt 62when fitted on the pulley 57 will rotate the worm-shaft in onedirection,

and consequently propel the carriage through the feed-screw and the nutin one direction. The crossed belt 63 when fitted on the pulley 5Sdrives the worm-shaft in an opposite direction to propel the carriage ina like direction. The employment of the belt-shipper serves tosimultaneously shift the two belts, so that one belt is in service whilethe other belt fits on the idle pulley 59. The belt-shipper is in theform of a lever fulcruined to a support at fifiand provided with anangular arm 67, which is disposed in the path of stops 68 69, which arefastened adjnstably by any suitable means to the base 42 of thecarriage, whereby as the carriage moves in one direction one stopengages with the belt-shipper to reverse the belts 62 63; but on thetravel of the carriage direction of the feed of the carriage.

The water flowing from the space between the abrading-disks is deflectedinto the channels 13 by the employment of water-sheds 70, which consistof metallic plates fastened to the carriage 42 on opposite sides of theworkframe, said sheds extending from opposite sides of the carriage fordeflecting the water intothe channels of the platform.

To assist in holding the sheet or paneof glass and the bottom insertiblestrip in place, I employ the pairs of detaining-springs 7172, which arefastened to the base of the carriage on opposite sides of the bottominsertible strip, each spring being arched or bowed to extend above thestrip and to lie close to or touch a face of the glass plate. Thesprings are shown as extended into the path of the revoluble disks; butas one end of each spring is free or unconfined it is adapted to yieldor give automatically as the spring travels with the carriage below thedisk.

The water is conveyed to the machine and discharged against the faces ofthe sheet or plate of glass by the inclined pipes 73. The sand or otherabrasive material is discharged to the working faces of the revolubledisks by the inclined sand pipes or chutes 74, which may receive thesupply of sand from elevated hoppers (not shown) or by other suitableappliances.

The machine hereinbefore described has the revoluble disks 18 19constructed with abrasive surfaces which aredesigned for use inconnection with an abrasive material which is discharged against thework by the sand pipes 74; but I also contemplate the employ ment of amachine in which the revoluble disks are provided withpolishing-surfaces IIO adapted to polish the plane surfaces of the Inthis embodiment plate or sheet of glass. of the invention (representedbyFig. 6 of the drawings) the polishing-wheel 75 is constructed with aseries of transverse ribs 76, which receive the polishing-strips 77, thelatter being of felt or any other soft material suitable for thepurpose. These polishing-strips may be of any suitable form and arrangedin any appropriate manner; but I prefer to employ the T-shafed stripsshown by Fig. 6. It is evident that these strips may be provided withnotches, if desired. Two polishing-disks of the character shown in Fig.6 are designed follows: The screw-spindle is adjusted to move the shaft15 endwise and withdraw the disk 19 away from the disk 18. The sheet orplate of glass, together with'the insertible strips, is placed inposition on the frame of the work-carriage and the latter is moved tothe limit of its movement in one direction, after which the screw isreversed to adjust the shaft toward the head 18, and thus bring the twoheads into opposing relation for operation on both faces of the work.The sand and water are supplied to the abrading mechanism by the pipes,and the disks are rotated in opposite directions by the straight andcrossed belts. The carriage is propelled in one direction by thefeed-screw and the nut driven from the worm-shaft, soas to carry the Iwork between the revoluble disks, and as the carriage reaches the limitof its motion in one direction the stop thereon operates thebeltshifter, which changes the position of the belts 62 63, so as topropel the feed-screw in an opposite direction for reversing the feed ofthe carriage.

Changes within the scope of the appended claims may be made in the formand proportion of some of the parts while their essential features areretained and the spirit of the invention is embodied. Hence I do notdesire to be limited to the precise form of all the parts as shown,reserving the right to vary therefrom.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is- 1. In a machine ofthe class described, the

' combination of oppositely-rotating disks in opposing relation to eachother, a power-shaft and connections between the same and the disks torotate the latter, a reciprocating carriage movable in a path betweensaid disks,

a reversible driving mechanism for said carriage connected to andactuated by said power-shaft, and means operated by the carriage at thelimits of its movement for auto.-

matically shifting the driving mechanism, whereby the carriage isautomatically reciprocated, substantially as described.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of the'opposingdisks provided with Working surfaces, a reciprocating carriage, a maindriving-shaft, independent gear connections between said shaft and thedisks for rotating the latter in opposite directions, a reversibledriving mechanism connected operatively with the main shaft and thecarriage, and automatic trip devices operated by the carriage at thelimits of the movement thereof for reversing the carriage-drivingmechanism whereby the carriage is automaticallyreciprocated,substantially as described.

3. In a machine of the class described, a work-carriage provided with aframe, and interchangeable strips inserted removably in said frame,substantially as described.

4. In a machine of the class described, a workcarriage, a frame havingthe slotted posts fastened to said carriage and connected by the cap andbottom rails, and strips insertible within the limits of the frame andarranged to clamp the work within and between themselves, substantiallyas described.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with awork-carriage,and a frame thereon, of the insertible work-holding stripsarranged within said frame, certain of said strips being connectedadjustably to said frame, for the purpose described, substantially asset forth.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a pair ofrevoluble disks, for the purpose set forth, arranged opposite eachother, of a reciprocatory work-carriage movable in a path between saiddisks and having stops and a traveling nut, a screwshaft engaging saidtraveling nut and having a worm-gear, a worm-shaft engaging said gear,and means to rotate and reverse said" worm-shaft, said means including ashiftinglever disposed in the path of the stops, a power-shaft, andconnections between the same and the worm-shaft, whereby said revolubledisk and carriage are operated simultaneously, and whereby reciprocatorymotion is automatically imparted to said work-carriage, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of the revolubledisks, a powershaft and connections to rotate said disks, awork-carriage, a feed-nut fast with said carriage, a feed-screw havingthreaded engageinent with said nut, a shaft geared to the feed-screw,oppositely-rotating driving elements on said shaft, connected to andoperated by the power-shaft and a reversing trip mechanism operated bythe carriage at the limits of the movement thereof to automaticallyreverse the action of the driving eletween the channels, the water-shedsfast with the carriage and arranged to deflect 'water toward thechannels, the oppositely-revoluble disks, and means for supplying waterand an abrasive material to the disks, substantially as described.

9. In a machine of the class described, a work-carriage provided with aframe, the insertible work-holding strips confined within said frame,and springs attached to the carriage and disposed on opposite sides ofthe strips, in combination with revoluble disks on opposite sides of thecarriage and in the path of the springs, and means for propelling thecarriage, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

DANIEL BEATTY.

Witnesses:

E. K. STEWART, N. PERRY HAHN.

